Weekend

Today’s topic on the weekend is again on Bollywood and this time I am writing about top 10 Directors, whose films have been commercially successful and were liked by masses and many times  critics as well.

#10- It is tie between

Manmohan Desai- He was often called King of Masala films, his films were totally for masses and he never cared for critics. He directed his first film Chhalia at the age of 21 in 1960. But it is in 70s and early 80s he achieved his peak with films like Sachcha Jhootha, Rampur Ka Laxman, Roti, Aa Gale Lag Ja, Amar Akbar Anthony, Suhaag, Parvarish, Chacha Bhateeja, Dharamveer, Naseeb, Coolie. In the later stage of his career, he had a fruitful association with Amitabh Bachchan.

Subhash Ghai- He started  his career as actor and did few roles as side actor, but later on turned to direction with Kalicharan in 1976, which was quite successful film, then followed up with Vishwanath & Gautam Govinda. In 1980 film Karz he turned producer also, and after this he mostly directed films for his banner only. The films were Vidhata, Hero, Meri Jung, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes, Taal, Black & White. After 2000 he directed very few films and under his banner he gave the chance to young directors. He had a very good music sense and most of his films music was super hit.

#9- It is tie between

Vijay Anand- At very young age he started writing dialogues for his brother Dev Anand’s banner Navketan. He turned director at 22, with Navketan’s Nau Do Gyarah for which he wrote story, screenplay and dialogue also. He later directed Kala Bazar, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Guide, Teesri Manzil, Jewel thief, Johny Mera Naam, Tere Mere Sapne, Black Mail, Chuppa Rustam, Bullet, Ram Balram, Rajput. He was a good actor also, and acted in many films. He was considered to be expert in picturising songs  and his camera handling was excellent.

Ramesh Sippy-  He started his career as assistant director in his father’s production house Sippy Films. His first films as director was Andaz in 1971, and followed up with Seeta Aur Geeta in 1972. Then he directed his most ambitious film which was released in 1975, and the film was Sholay. Which turned out to all time great hit of  Hindi film industry, and still considered as one of the best Hindi film ever made. He followed  with Shaan in 1980, again a multi starrer, but it could not repeat the success of Sholay. His films after this were never big box office hits. He also directed few TV serials  also, and most famous being Buniyaad.

#8 is  BR Chopra- he started his career in early 50s and his first film as director was Awam which was not a major success. He later directed Afsana which was a big hit , and after that he never look back. He later directed Ek Hi Raasta, Naya Daur, Sadhna, Kanoon, Gumraah, Humraaz, Daastan Dhund, Karm, Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Nikaah, Tawaif. He produced and co directed the epic TV serial Mahabharat. Most of his earlier movies were on relevant social themes. He also groomed his younger brother Yash Chopra who directed few movies for his banner in the early stages before launching his own banner.

#7 is Hrishikesh Mukherjee- he  started his career as a film editor with Bimal Roy and his first film as director was Musafir in 1957, which was not a major success. His next film was Anari (1959) with that he established himself as director, His later films were Anuradha, Chhaya, Memdidi, Asli Naqli, Aashiq, Sanjh aur Savera, Anupama, Gaban, Biwi Aur Makan, Aashirwad, Satyakam, Anand, Pyar Ka Sapna, Guddi, Budha Mil Gaya Bawarchi, Abhimaan, Namak Haram, Chupke Chupke Mili, Arjun Pandit, Alaap, Kotwal Saab, Naukri, Golmaal, Jurmana, Khubsoorat, Naram Garam, Bemisal, rang Birangi, Kisise Na Kehna, Acha Bura, Jhoothi, Namumkin and Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate. He was a no non sense director and all the stars behaved very nicely with him without any tantrums.

#6 is Gulzar-  he started his career as lyricist with Bimal Roy film Bandini. Later on he turned to dialogue writer and screen play writer. He turned director with Mere Apne. His other notable films are Achanak,  Parichay, Koshish, Meera,  Mausam, Kitaab Namkeen, Kinara, Khusboo, Lekin, Libaas, Angoor, Ijaazat, Maachis & Hu Tu Tu. After  Hu Tu Tu he stopped directing films saying that physically director job is very taxing and his health is not permitting him.

#5 is Guru Dutt- he was a choreographer and worked as assistant dance director before turning actor & director.  His first film as director was Baazi for Dev Anand’s banner Navketan. His later films as director were Jaal, Baaz, Aar Paar, Mr & Mrs 55, Sailaab (unreleased), Pyassa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. After the box office failure of his most ambitious film Kaagaz Ke Phool he never officially directed any film. The same film is  now considered as masterpiece and classic and this film is a topic of discussions in many film forums and institutes even after 6 decades of its release. Along with direction, he was a very popular actor also.

#4 is Bimal Roy- He started his career as director in 1943 documentary film Bengal Famine. His first Hindi feature film as director was Humrahi. He came into reckoning with 1953 film Do Bigha Zameen, under his banner,  and which was followed by Parineeta and then there was no looking back. His later films as director were Naukari, Biraj Bahu, Baap Beti, Devdas, Yahudi, Madhumati, Sujata, Parakh, Prem Patra & Bandini. He was highly decorated director and his films were famous in many film festivals.

#3 is Yash Chopra-  He started his career with his elder brother BR Chopra, he directed many films under the banner of BR films  and his first film was Dhool Ka Phool, followed by  Dharamputra, Waqt, Aadmi Aur Insaan & Ittefaq. After this he started his own banner Yash Raj films and his directed films for his and outside banners were Daag, Joshila, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Kala Pathar, Silsila, Mashal, Faasle, Vijay, Chandni, Lamhe, Parampara, Darr, Dil To Paagal Hai, Veer Zaara & Jab Tak hai Jaan.  He died just before his last directed film Jab Tak Hai Jaan was to be released. The Yash Raj Films is a top banner of Hindi Film industry and is looked after by his son Aditya Chopra, who himself is also a director.

#2 is Raj Kapoor-  He started his film career as actor in mid 40s film Neel Kamal. He formed his  banner RK films in 1947 and turned director with first film under his banner  and film was Aag. His next film as director was Barsaat which was block buster film. Then Awara, this film made him world famous, and this film is still considered among top 50 films ever made in the world. His later films as director were Shri 420, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker which was the biggest flop when released in late 1970, and as a producer he suffered heavy losses  till the extent that his RK Studios and Bunglow were also under mortgage. But he came back as director with teen age love story Bobby, which was biggest block buster of 70s. After that he directed Satyam Shivam Sundram, Prem Rog and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. His performance as director is highly appreciated because in the earier movies which he directed , he acted as main lead in them.

AND

#1 is Raj KUmar Hirani- for me for no.1 position it was toss between Raj Kapoor & Raj Kumar Hirani, & my vote went to Hirani because up till now in last 15 years he has directed only 5 films and all his films have been commercially super duper hits, not even one of his film did average business. All his films are highly appreciated by both audience and critics. His film as director are Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munnabhai, 3 Idiots, PK & Sanju. His first 4 films were on the very relevant topics which are pertaining to happenings in the country and last was a biopic film, which was based on controversial film star Sanjay Dutt, which was very risky to make as Sanjay Dutt’s life has been a open book and he has been to jail and termed as a terrorist also.

In the end Hats Off to all the above directors who has given us masterpiece films.

Awaiting your comments/feed backs/views.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

15^th Feb 2019.